4. her end—literally, "her future," in
sense of reward, what follows (compare Ps 37:37; 73:17). Its nature is evinced by the use of
figures, opposite those of Pr 5:3. The
physical and moral suffering of the deluded profligate are notoriously
terrible.

5. feet … , steps—that is, course
of life ends in death.

6. her ways … know—Some prefer,
"that she may not ponder the path of life," &c.; but perhaps a
better sense is, "her ways are varied, so as to prevent your knowledge
of her true character, and so of true happiness."

15-20. By figures, in which well,
cistern, and fountain [Pr 5:15, 18] represent the wife, and rivers of
waters [Pr 5:16] the
children, men are exhorted to constancy and satisfaction in lawful
conjugal enjoyments. In Pr 5:16,
fountains (in the plural) rather denote the produce or waters of
a spring, literally, "what is from a spring," and corresponds with
"rivers of waters."

17. only thine own—harlots' children
have no known father.

18. wife … youth—married in
youth.

19. loving … roe—other figures for
a wife from the well-known beauty of these animals.